This medal was issued jointly by the American Numismatic Society and the Medal Committee of the Hudson-Fulton Commission. 124,698 examples of the medal were struck, in a variety of sizes and metals, which makes it one of the largest issues of a single medal ever produced. In 1609, after dropping anchor in what later became the lower bay of New York harbor, Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson river (which he discovered and named) to what became the city of Albany, New York.

Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.